Organic on the menu

Professional kitchens are not monitored by organic food authorities. The use of organic foods in kitchens is supervised by the municipal food authority (usually the health inspector). Any advertisement must comply with the rules of marketing communication, i.e. there may be no misleading of consumers/customers.

100 % organic

In order to be able to use the word organic for a meal, all agricultural raw materials have to be 100 % organic. In preparation non-organic products are allowed only according to the act on organic foods (889/2008, amendments 8 and 9) i.e. products not available as organic or additives allowed under the act. The amount of these non-organic products may be at maximum 5 % in the meal.

The use of organic-affix has to be careful so as not to mislead the customer/consumer. Unless you are not completely sure that all ingredients used in the preparation are organic, it is safer to say for instance "Lunch includes organic ingredients: organic potato, carrot, ground meat etc…)"

A dish consisting of several components, such as potato, gravy, vegetables, meat/fish, may only be called organic if ALL the ingredients are 100 % organic.

Similarly a meal including a drink, bread + spread, salad and dessert, may be called an organic meal / lunch if ALL the ingredients are 100 % organic.

Hunting dishes and organic food

If game such as venison or lake fish is used in food production, it may not be called organic, even if they amount to less than 5 % in the end product. Game and fish are classified as natural products, and they are not included on the list of products allowed to be called organic (see the EU act on organic foods 889/2008, amendments 8 and 9). Again, it is possible to write menus for instance like this "Elk soup prepared with organic potatoes, carrots and onions etc.).

Consumer agency:
Marketing may not include false or misleading information. Any information in a commercial should be as accurate and extensive as possible. Attention must be paid in marketing in that the information is clear and understandable: the overall effect is the key. Unsubstantial claims, false information or intentional consumer misleading are not good business practice and illegal.